I would like to ask, seriously, if the result would have been any different had the sailors been American.
Personally, I have been convinced for quite some time that we no longer have the stomach for a fight - and that our divided status as a nation has allowed patriotism, nationalism and jingoism to become dirty words.
Those that hate those concepts fail to understand that they are necessary if a nation or a culture is to survive - they are not based in mere rhetoric. That a LACK of patriotism or nationalism does not signify a more sophisticated, cerebral approach to life, but rather a letting down of the guard necessary to maintain the freedoms we fought so hard to achieve and maintain in past generations.
I fear this lesson will be learned the hard way. The very hard way.
We have seen the American government act shamelessly though when faced with those thugs. Witness the 83 Marine Barracks bombing where instead of making Iran pay, we tucked our ass between our legs and scooted out of Lebanon.
On the other hand just recently American and Iranian forces clashed when they tried to kidnap American Fighting forces...the Iranians died. Reminds my of that F/A-18's nose Art after 9/11 "Hijack This!".
Well, we certainly had the stomach to start a fight in Iraq, probably mostly as a reaction to 9/11. However I think we've temporarily lost the stomach for another one, due to the length of time we've been there without decisive overall victory.
I don't think we've really got the combat troops available to start another war, and I don't think the UK has enough for even one war on its own.
But my opinion is that the US Navy would not have sat idly by and let its people be led into captivity like the RN did.
If it had happened I'm not sure what Bush's reaction would have been, he took the diplomatic route during the Chinese incident, but I believe he of all people understands the dangers of allowing radical Muslims to achieve victories against our troops.
First of all, our ROE not only allow self-defense, but our doctrine requires it. "Don't give up the ship." still means something in the USN.
“I would like to ask, seriously, if the result would have been any different had the sailors been American.
Personally, I have been convinced for quite some time that we no longer have the stomach for a fight - and that our divided status as a nation has allowed patriotism, nationalism and jingoism to become dirty words.”
The result would have been the same. The treasonous left has already said in writing they will not support war against Iran. Their are two groups of people on both sides of the pond. Those whom know we are fighting for our lives and everything we have worked hard for and our forefathers paid for in blood. The other group wants to ignore the threats, not just simply hoping it goes away but being treasonous, supporting the enemy by purposely holding back our military might to deal with the problem while it is small. It is human nature to not want peace over war, but the countries we are dealing with want war, these include Russia, China, Syria, Iran & North Korea. Our oil producing allies are changing their tune of support because of our recent weakness. Iran will now feel emboldened to attack the West & Israel with nukes to usher in the 12th Imam. We will suffer greatly and fully unite but such a shame it will cost the earth billions of lives, instead of a recession and probably 100k total dead now.
I think they understand those concepts quite well. They just hate them as they hate us as a country. We’ve been unfairly at the top of the heap too long. They want us arrogant bastards cut down to size.
JMHO.